There are more than 70 million fathers in the United States. That means 70 million possibilities for PTA membership, inclusion, engagement and strength for our schools and kids.

One out of every three children in America —more than 24 million in total — live in a home without their biological father present, according to a 2012 White House Fatherhood Report.  And, roughly one out of every three Hispanic children and more than half of African-American children also live in homes without their biological fathers.

More engaged fathers and father figures — whether living with or apart from their children — can help foster a child’s healthy physical, emotional and social development.  There’s no doubt of the positive impact male role models can have on their children’s lives.

MEMBERSHIP: MAKE IT ABOUT MEN

Recruiting men as PTA members may mean rethinking how your PTA is run on a day-to-day basis. If your PTA mostly relies on female caregivers, reaching out to men may involve breaking down barriers and trying new approaches and strategies:

• Communicate directly to men – How you and your PTA speak to members and potential members can impact the level of men’s involvement. Simply slimming down language and shortening messages in your communications can be more appealing to male readership. And be always sure to explain and emphasize how men’s unique involvement benefits kids.
• Just ask – Nearly half of men who responded to a recent National PTA survey said they haven’t gotten involved with PTA simply because they weren’t asked. Those involved said their spouses’ participation led to their own involvement. So, encourage women in your PTA to invite the men in their children’s lives to get involved, and take your PTA to places with large male contingents – such as service clubs – to share our message and ask for participation and membership.
• Create men-focused groups and events – Surveys also show that men prefer to volunteer for hands-on projects and men-only events with clear expectations. So, organize special events and groups for men to enjoy working on and being involved with together and define volunteer roles and expectations.
• Respect men’s time – More than 70 percent of recently surveyed men said time was a barrier to PTA involvement, and the majority said they wanted fewer meetings at more convenient times. Make efforts to schedule workdays in mind for all parents and organize results-driven meetings with clear agendas and topics.
• Celebrate engagement – When you start getting more men involved, it’s great to celebrate! Letting the school community know will help emphasize and publicize your welcoming environment for all parents and members. Thank men publicly at meetings and in your PTA communications, and always encourage more male membership – we’re all in it together for our kids!

NATIONAL NEED FOR MALE ENGAGEMENT

More than 1 million men visit schools across America each year as part of the National PTA MORE Alliance (Men Organized to Raise Engagement).

Organizations in PTA MORE are dedicated to raising the level of engagement between children and the important men in their lives. Members of PTA More serve as conduits for greater father and significant-male involvement, resulting in positive outcomes and successful relationships for children, parents, schools and communities.

PTA MORE:

• Works with schools and communities to provide programs to engage fathers and positive male figures in the educational and social development of children.
• Develops male leaders who work with fathers and male role models to enhance positive male parenting and involvement with youth.
• Acts as a resource for families, communities and schools on fatherhood initiatives and issues
• Increases visibility and outreach of quality programming by coalition members.

To learn more about PTA MORE, read an article on this PTA initiative and visit National PTA.

 

 

 

California’s education system is changing fast. You want to help. Learn how it all fits together with Ed100!

California State PTA and Ed100.org teamed up to help parents learn more about education so you can help create better schools.

Explore the education system in easy-to-understand language. No jargon. No partisan slant. Written by education experts who know Sacramento and local schools.

Ed100 is a free online resource that prepares you to make a difference in your school or school district. It helps you learn what you need to know to be informed, credible and ready for action.

Every California child deserves a great education. With Ed100, you can be part of the solution.

RESOURCES FOR YOUR PARENT MEETINGS

Ed100 Parent Leader Guide

The Parent Leader Guide provides “ready-to-go” plans for parent meetings. We want to help you hold meetings that matter. It’s all here: Lessons, discussion prompts, handouts and suggestions for taking action.

 

Unfortunately, fewer than half of all students in California get any kinds of arts education, despite it being mandated in our state education code. California falls well below the national average in terms of numbers of students receiving any kind of arts instruction. This puts our students at a disadvantage both academically and professionally, and they deserve better.

There are things you can do to support arts education, and help put California back on top!

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO IMPROVE ARTS EDUCATION

Here are 15 ways to improve arts education in California, grouped by the level of commitment each requires:

GOT A MINUTE OR TWO?	GOT AN HOUR OR TWO?	GOT A DAY OR TWO?
Find ways to #CreateAtHome with Create CA‘s resources Subscribe to Creative Connection, PTA’s arts newsletter Record a 30-second video Download the Parents’ Guide to the Visual and Performing Arts Join California State PTA!	When you resume in-person PTA meetings, set aside time to talk about arts education When the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, talk to your principal about adding a new art class at your child’s school Attend a virtual event or exhibit at a local theater, arts center, or museum Check out your local community’s arts education data Encourage a student you know to create an art project at home, and submit it to the next Reflections art program competition	When the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, attend an LCAP meeting and ask your district to set aside funding for the arts Write a letter of support to your local school board Host a virtual “coffee and arts education” evening in your community Ask your school district to adopt the Declaration of Student Rights Encourage your school district to become an Arts Equity District

WHY IS ARTS EDUCATION IMPORTANT?

Research shows that learning arts subjects alongside math, history, science and English has an exponential effect on student success. For example, students who have an arts education achieve more A grades (in all subjects), have better attendance, are more likely to graduate from high school, and have better critical thinking, collaboration and social-emotional skills than those who don’t. This is especially true for English language learners and students from low-income backgrounds.

The good news continues even after high school. Kids with an arts education are more likely to graduate from college, and are more likely to pursue a professional career. Creative arts learning also boosts chances for employment once kids become adults and move into the working world: 72% of business leaders – across all industries – say that creativity is the #1 skill they are seeking, and one out of every 10 jobs in California is in a creative industry.

ARTS EDUCATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

Be sure to watch this video from the California Alliance for Arts Education on how arts education is being implemented in Chula Vista – and making a difference in the lives of children.

Bylaws are designed to help your PTA function in an orderly manner. PTA bylaws describe the purpose of PTA and its mission, and members’ rights, in addition to officers, committees and their respective duties.

A copy of the association’s Bylaws for the Local PTA/PTSA Units must be made available to any association member upon request. A copy should be provided to all officers and board members. Each executive board member is responsible for making a thorough study of them.

Visit the Leaders’ Website for additional information on the essential role of bylaws

Visit the Leaders Website

REVIEWING AND UPDATING BYLAWS

Bylaws should be reviewed annually, and updated every five (5) years by the bylaws committee of the association, chaired by the parliamentarian. The procedures and instructions to complete the bylaws are found inside the front cover of each set of bylaws.

Electronic bylaws are now available (in English), and are highly recommended!

Check out eBylaws

Instructions for bylaw review:

English   Spanish

When the California State PTA approves changes to the standard bylaws for local PTA/PTSA units, the change is effective for all PTAs/PTSAs whether the printed copy being used by your PTA includes that change or not.

Note: Any change in the association’s bylaws, including the number of officers, positions, or membership dues amounts may not be implemented until bylaws have been submitted through channels (council and district PTAs) to the California State PTA parliamentarian for approval.

This means that your PTA must continue to charge the stated dues amount, elect the stated officers, and hold meetings as provided for in your most current set of bylaws signed by the California State PTA parliamentarian. Simply adopting the amendments at an association meeting without prior state approval is not sufficient.

Most bylaws are processed by the state parliamentarian within two weeks of receipt unless additional information is required. Bylaws submitted for review should be returned to you through channels within 6-8 weeks of the original submission date. If you have not received the bylaws back within this time frame, contact your council or district parliamentarian immediately. If you need additional assistance, contact your council or district president or contact the State Parliamentarian at parliamentarian@capta.org.

STANDING RULES VS. BYLAWS

Standing rules outline the procedures of the organization that are not included in the bylaws and must not conflict with the bylaws or the California State PTA Toolkit. They may be changed or amended without notice with a two-thirds (2/3rd) majority vote of the association, or a majority vote with thirty (30) days’ notice.

Some of the differences between standing rules and bylaws are:

• Bylaws state when the meetings of the association are held.
• Standing rules tell where and what time association meetings are held, and when executive board meetings are held.
• Bylaws give the primary responsibilities of officers and chairmen.
• Standing rules give the specifics.

If the bylaws state that the first vice president is responsible for programs, the standing rules would list the various special committee chairmen who work under that vice president, such as Founders Day, Honorary Service Awards, etc. The bylaws describe the authority of committees. Standing rules indicate which committees are standing committees whose chairmen are voting members of the executive board and which committees are special committees, whose chairmen do not have executive board voting privileges and to which executive board member they report.

If the organization has supplies or equipment, the standing rules would state who is responsible for them and where they would be kept. They might also list details of the installation of officers, and who has responsibility for securing the past president’s pin.

Visit the Leaders’ Website for additional information on Standing Rules

Visit the Leaders Website